Bodies That Matter

In "Bodies That Matter," philosopher Judith Butler reexamines theories of gender by focusing on the material aspects of sex and sexuality, specifically the body. She critiques the influence of heterosexual hegemony on the formation of bodies, sex, and gender, arguing that power constrains our understanding of viable sex from the outset. Building on her previous work in "Gender Trouble," Butler explores the concept of "performativity" through engaging analyses of philosophical texts and significant cultural works, including the film "Paris is Burning" and literature by Nella Larsen and Willa Cather.